Well it is and it isn't. He is a good manager, and frankly I think the Villa fans are partly to blame. They kicked up such a stink when Lerner even thought of interviewing McClaren that he decided against it. This didn't leave many other options given that Martinez turned them down, aside from Hughes who Lerner seems to have already discounted. Fan power was never going to work more than once, and the Villa fans shot their wad at the wrong time. Reminds me of the time Sunderland fans treated PEter Reid abomninably and then cheered when they got him out...and then a well past his sell by date Howard Wilkinson turned up...

I think both Lerner and O'Neill need to look at themselves and ask why they didn't make it work, because the debacle of last summer did neither Lerner, MON or Villa any favours.

ENG U21 were minutes away from going though but crash out 2-1 same old story lack of ability on the ball and we had way more of it like 60%ish. I look at that team and I see...

Walker
Jones
Smalling
Bertrand
Rodwell

Only players that probably can make it along with the likes of Carroll, Wilshere, Lennon, Gibbs & Richards who were eligable but didn't take part.

Bertrand needs to leave Chelsea if only on loan though because hes better than Gibbs but need games, while Gibbs need to actually be able to walk FAR TOO injury prone already at 20 years of age. Also Rodwell needs to stay fit and realise his potential because he's come off the track lately AND Henderson is just plain poor, Liverpool have been robbed.

ENG future looks strong for defence and ok for Wingers and strikers but lack of cover in the goalkeeper department is worrying and a MASSIVE problem is middle of the park, the lack of real ability to do anything is a problem. Wilshere cannot run a midfield on his own, he needs one quality attacking and one defensive minded player(s) with him.

If Giles Barnes is the kind of player that McClown's looking to bring in at Forest then I'd be more than concerned I think. He's never been the same player since he was injured by Carl Dickinson, was shagged before he left us, and from what I've heard he's still struggling.

Upon hearing the news, most Derby fans appear to be 'very pleased'........

We got rid of Barnes because medical advice said he wouldn't regain his fitness, Birmingham passed for the same reason before WBA took him-he played 2 games for them I think. Bearing in mind Hogson at once point was interested as he took him on loan to Fulham...and never played him, then got rid of him at Brom. Speaks volumes.

Shame, when fit, and on his day, he had so much potential but injury and, so I hear, ego have basically ruined him.

Despite the rumors of Barnes it looks the first signings of the summer are set to be...

McClaren will swoop £2million for Keith Andrews from Blackburn and take on his compatriot Andy Reid on a free transfer from Sunderland.

Click to expand...

I would be very happy with both of them especially Andy returning to Forest. Looks like we won't get a return of Bertrand because he looks set to remain in the PL to gather experience and join Swansea on loan.

Also Arsenal look set to break their club record for Juan Mata at a rumored £18 million, I have to admit I really like Mata ever since I first saw him but I have doubts over Wenger would spend so much on him.